The master plan for the 126 sq.km Chennai Outer Ring Road (ORR) is expected to be completed by the end of December or early next year, according to Rudrabhishek Enterprises Private Limited (REPL), the consultancy firm tasked with preparing the detailed development plan.

Prabhakar Kumar, business head of REPL, shared insights with The New Indian Express, highlighting that the company has identified four key growth nodes along the ORR—Minjur, Red Hills, Poonamallee, and Vandalur. These nodes, each with unique characteristics, include areas with significant land availability and eco-sensitive zones.

Kumar emphasized the importance of preserving the environment in certain regions, especially those prone to flooding and waterlogging. “Nature should not be disturbed, so development will be restricted in eco-sensitive areas, while other zones with higher development potential will be prioritized,” he said. REPL was awarded the Rs 2.9 crore contract for the plan’s development.

In addition to the master plan, the consultancy is tasked with identifying areas for implementing the Land Pooling Area Development Scheme (LAPDS) and preparing an economic development plan for the ORR corridor. The government envisions the ORR as a high-growth zone with sustainable density levels, fostering business and industrial activity due to improved infrastructure and a higher Floor Space Index (FSI), which will allow for more affordable development.

“We aim for an average FSI of 4 to 5, with mixed-use, multimodal nodes that will cater to commercial, industrial, and residential demands,” Kumar explained. On the delays in finalizing the plan, he noted that such processes typically take at least two years due to the approval procedures and multiple stakeholder consultations involved. The ORR is seen as a key project to boost Chennai’s urban development and economic growth.